Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold emotional as matters hit rock-bottom | OneFootball

VfL Wolfsburg squad captain Maximilian Arnold once again found himself in the position of liaising with disappointed club supporters on Friday evening. It continues to prove an exceptionally tough campaign for the 31-year-old, who has gotten into multiple scuffles with the VfL ultras this year. Naturally, there was another emotional encounter following the latest Bundesliga loss. 

“What do you think they wanted?” Arnold rhetorically answered when asked about the latest conversations with the FanKurve by Sky Germany. “They want wins and so do we. There’s nothing much to say. We have to execute on the pitch. We’re in an unpleasant and dangerous situation. Things are not going in the right direction. We have to get together and appraise matters honestly and critically.

“We came up empty and I feel empty,” Arnold continued. “In phases like this, every meter is a slog. We just have to push through these games with all our might. We didn’t understand how to hang onto the ball [after taking the lead] and keep calm and in control. We lost the ball too easily. As a result, we’re leaving [Bremen] empty handed.“

What will happen with Wolfsburg?

Reports emerged earlier this week that Germany’s green company team are considering a “full front house cleansing”. Comments from managing director Peter Christiansen (prior to kickoff), as well as head coach Paul Simonis and sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz (after the full-time whistle), strongly suggest that all three figures may be headed for the exit door at the club. 

Arnold himself recently opted to extend his contract with the only club he’s ever represented professionally this week. Wolfsburg-released statements by Schindzielorz and Christiansen carried with them something of a resigned tone. The pair – frustrated with the manner in which their VfL project continues to sputter and stall – almost seemed content to label Arnold’s re-signing their final bit of influence with the Autostädter.

GGFN | Peter Weis